Update on Compounded GLP-1s
Update on Compounded GLP-1s
You may have heard that a U.S. federal judge has denied an injunction that would have allowed compounding pharmacies to keep making copies of Eli Lilly’s weight-loss and diabetes drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro (generic name Tirzepatide) in the United States. This was based on Lilly saying the shortage of Zepbound and Mounjaro has ended which most experts say is not true. News outlets have said that this judgement is banning compounded GLP-1s which is technically not true. The Outsourcing Facility Association that filed the lawsuit said that the number of patients taking compounded GLP-1s as in the millions, so banning compounding pharmacies from providing these medicines will cause a shortage. This injunction does not affect the Novo Nordisk’s drugs Ozempic or Wegovy (generic name Semaglutide). Hundreds of Dr. Friedman’s patients have benefited from these compounded GLP-1s which are available in syringes allowing individual dosing that is not possible with the commercial medicines. Compounded GLP-1s do not require insurance pre-authorization and are much more affordable.
Dr. Friedman works with several compounding pharmacies to provide affordable and safe GLP-1 drugs that have improved patients’ health and weight. After this injunction came out, Dr. Friedman talked to representatives from both University Compounding Pharmacy (UCP) and Strive Pharmacy and both said, “Business as usual” and assured him that they are continuing to supply all GLP-1s. They are working with their legal teams before making a statement, but did plan on continuing to supply these medicines. They encouraged me to encourage patients to renew their prescriptions at a 3-month supply. Dr. Friedman’s expectation is that they will say they are supplying “Tirzepatide” and “Semaglutide” and not “Ozempic”, “Wegovy”, “Zepbound” and “Mounjaro” and that they are supplying customized dosing that are not available with the fixed doses supplied by the pharmaceutical companies.
Many patients, upon reading the injunction, have contacted Dr. Friedman’s office in panic asking for (demanding) a replacement for their compounded GLP-1s. For most patients, they can continue on their current GLP-1s and get refills at their regularly scheduled followup with Dr. Friedman, existing patients that want an “urgent” refill on their GLP-1s, Dr. Friedman is offering his patient an option for a rush refill for a $50 charge via PayPal (available on the appointment page of goodhormormonehealth.com). Send the PayPal receipt to mail@goodhormonehealth.com and tell staff members what dose, type of GLP-1 and number of vials. Dr. Friedman recommends 3 vials of the 20 mg vial of compounded Tirzepatide at $450/3 vials plus shipping from UCP, but if you want the rush order from Strive or Empower Compounding Pharmacies, please email us your PayPal receipt and the name of the pharmacy and dose and quantity of the GLP-1. Patients who have not seen Dr. Friedman in the past 6 months should make a followup appointment.
For more information, please read about compounded GLP-1s, and listen to listen Dr. Friedman’s GoodHormoneHealth Webinar on November 17, 2024 on compounded Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide for patients with endocrine problems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9VbPDsJcPEhttps://www.facebook.com/goodhormonehealth https://www.goodhormonehealth.com/webinars or on your podcast channel.
Dr. Friedman will briefly discuss the compounded GLP-1s at the beginning of his next GoodHormoneHealth Webinar on Sunday March 23rd at 6:00 PM before going on to discuss “How can Blue Zones and Maimonides’ principles be applied to lead a healthy life for patients with endocrine problems?”